Abstract
In this article, the breadth and depth of play as an integrating process for children with developmental challenges are explored. The fact that play is a source of developmental growth suggests that its role in intervention with children with language and communication disorders cannot be overstated. Several contemporary play-based intervention programs for children with autism spectrum disorders are briefly reviewed. Models of child development that emphasize developmental integration are discussed. Clinical vignettes, dilemmas, and scenarios illustrate how language interventions can be designed to address engagement and meaning, the foundations of language development. Finally, the role of the adult or the attuned play partner is considered relative to current thinking about the caregiver-child relationship.